Wells Fargo: McIlroy the favourite, but Brian Keogh likes the look of a 90 outsider

McIlroy starts as favourite

Jon Rahm admitted the Masters was key to his return to victory on Sunday, and it could prove the same for Rory McIlroy at TPC Potomac this week.

The world number two had been winless since the US Open before claiming a wire-to-wire win in the Mexico Open at Vidanta.

“I’m a feel player and that Sunday, I told myself just go out there and hit the golf ball, make shots, see the ball flight and execute and I shot a three-under without having my best stuff on a tough day,” Rahm said of his final round 69 alongside Tiger Woods in the Masters. “So I applied the same thing this week, minimal technical thoughts and just visualising ball flight of the shot and getting back to my true self and I truly saw the difference.”

McIlroy followed Dr Bob Rotella’s advice and got back to playing like his true self as he finished a career-best second in the Masters. Now the Holywood star tees it up as the hot favourite for the Wells Fargo Championship when he returns to action chasing his first win since the CJ Cup last October.

Could Rory McIlroy follow in Jon Rahm's footsteps and use Masters form to gain a first PGA Tour win since last October?

Ancer can deliver

The Co Down man won the Wells Fargo three times at Quail Hollow in Charlotte, but a move to par 70 TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm this week due to Quail Hollow’s hosting of the Presidents Cup means all bets are off as he tees it up for the first time since the Masters.

As the only player in the world’s top 10 in action, the world number seven is the clear favourite at 10 ahead of Canadian Corey Conners (23) to clinch his 29th worldwide win and his 21st on the PGA Tour.

But if you’re looking for value, however, Mexico’s Abraham Ancer is tempting at 34 and due a win following his PGA Tour breakthrough in the WGC/FedEx St. Jude Invitational last season.

TPC Potomac hosted two editions of the Quicken Loans National with wins for Kyle Stanley in 2017 and Francesco Molinari in 2018.

They are ball-strikers, which points to players like McIlroy and Conners. But Ancer is a similar style player and as one of only three top 20 players in action this week, his tie for fourth behind Molinari in 2018 shows he can play well at this venue.

Up and coming 

Former US Open champion Gary Woodland is another strong player from tee to green and at 42 he offers better value that Ancer and showing good form with three top fives in his last seven starts.

Australia’s Marc Leishman (55), tied 13th in 2018, is another ball-striker with the game to do well though we’re going to go for up and coming Brandon Wu to build on his runner-up finish to Rahm in Mexico on Sunday.

At 90, the 25-year old Californian looks great value for money and having finish tied third in Puerto Rico in March, he’s clearly a player trending upwards.

Recommended bets

Abraham Ancer @ 34

Marc Leishman @ 55

Brandon Wu @ 90